Central women return to NCAA golf tourney in Texas

Central Dutch Athletics

PELLA—It’s the national stage but the surroundings will be familiar for the Central College women’s golf team at the NCAA Division III Championships this week.

The American Rivers Conference champion Dutch make their second NCAA appearance in three seasons and, just as in 2017, the national tournament will be played at the Bay Oaks Country Club in Houston, Texas. The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and the Harris County-Houston Sports Commission serve as hosts.

After practice rounds Sunday and Monday, play begins Tuesday in the four-day 72-hole tournament. The 25-team field will be reduced to 15 after 54 holes for Friday’s final round. The top six individuals not on one of those teams will also advance.

Making it past the 54-hole cut is the initial goal for the Dutch and would be a program first. Central was 16th after three days in 2017, missing the cut by 12 shots.

Two members of this year’s squad competed in 2017. Brittany Coppess (senior, Clinton) shot 81-84-80—246, tying for first on the squad. Emily Opsal (junior, Verona, Wis.) shot 86-88-83—257. Lexie Patton (junior, Aurelia, Alta-Aurelia HS) was an alternate in 2017, so also made the trip.

Joining those three this year are Rachael Danielson (freshman, Jefferson, Greene County HS) and Stacy Mohr (junior, Sigourney).

Coach Tim Wilkinson isn’t downplaying the benefits of the previous trip.

“I think it’s going to be a tremendous advantage, not just for the two who played, Brittany and Emily but Lexie being there the entire week and seeing the course,” he said. “It is going to make them feel a lot more comfortable, not only on the course but in the routine and with the surroundings and ultimately it should help them play better. And my hope is they’ll help the newcomers be a little more educated once they get there.”

Coppess, who captured the conference title and league MVP honors last fall, is Central’s top individual hope. Opsal and Patton also received all-league recognition after finishing fourth and ninth, respectively. But Wilkinson said the Dutch need one of the season’s best showings to crack the top 15.

“It’s going to take a group effort to make the cut,” Wilkinson said. “One person is not going to get us there. It’s been that way for us the last two years, that won’t be any different. Obviously for our two newcomers, getting comfortable and feeling confident are going to be key to getting us to our goal of making the cut.”

Central cracked the NCAA Midwest Region rankings for the first time this year last week, debuting at No. 6. Carleton College (Minn.) is No. 1 and rated No. 1 in the WGCA national poll as well.

Adjusting to the east Texas heat and humidity is among the obstacles, but Wilkinson said the Dutch are capable of scoring on the Bay Oaks course.

“It’s fair, it’s challenging but it’s not gimmicky or too difficult,” he said. “Having a couple days to settle in and practice are going to be good, especially coming off finals. It will give them a chance to catch their breath and just focus on golf.

Gaining additional national tournament experience should yield multiple benefits as Wilkinson seeks to foster an expectation that Central is building a perennial contender.

“It’s easier if you have players who have been there,” he said. “For us it’s important to build on that momentum of (going to the national tournament) two of the last three years in recruiting and in competing to keep it going, not just being where we are but to be in that top 15 and feel like we’re taking steps to improving nationally.”

But that’s not what Wilkinson wants his team to focus on this week as much as savoring the moment.

“I feel like if they don’t have a good time and if they don’t enjoy themselves, then they’re losing out on the opportunity,” he said. “We’re going to shoot what we’re going to shoot but it’s an opportunity that you can’t necessarily guarantee you’re going to get again. That will be the message going in, taking advantage of the opportunity and soaking it in. We want them playing free and letting go of any expectations once we get on the course.”

NCAA Division III Midwest Region rankings

1. Carleton (Minn.)

2. Saint Benedict (Minn.)

3. Gustavus Adolphus (Minn.)

4. St. Catherine (Minn.)

5. Bethel (Minn.)

6. Central